barring

American  

[bahr-ing] / ˈbɑr ɪŋ /

preposition

1. excepting; except for.

   Barring accidents, I'll be there.

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barring British  

/ ˈbɑːrɪŋ /

preposition

1. unless (something) occurs; except for

   barring rain, the match will be held tomorrow

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Etymology

Origin of barring

First recorded in 1475–85; bar ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

He estimated futures prices would have to hold below the mid-$90s to push average U.S. gasoline costs under $4 a gallon—a move that traders believe is unlikely barring a resumption of tanker traffic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The CTAs have sold so much there’s not much left to sell — they’re short $18.4 billion worth of U.S. equities — barring a major shock.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Department of Transportation mandated that air traffic controllers rely on radar to manage aircraft flight paths, barring them from instructing pilots to avoid aircraft based on sight.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Transit passage rights through straits remain applicable during armed conflicts and suspending commercial navigation through Hormuz "cannot be lawful" barring exceptional circumstances, he added.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

There was no utility in that, just as there was no utility in barring all prisoners from contacting the outside world.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers